Catcher Protector

ABSTRACT

A catcher protector includes: a first protective portion that protects a part of a torso of a catcher; and a second protective portion that protects another part of the torso of the catcher. The second protective portion has a back surface facing the torso of the catcher and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. When air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent by a blower from the front surface to the back surface of the second protective portion, the wind speed of the air passing through the back surface is faster than 0.20 m/sec.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-118018 filed on Jul. 25, 2022 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a catcher protector.

Description of the Background Art

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2020-171415 describes a protector for releasing heat from a space between a surface of the protector in contact with the catcher's chest and the chest. A groove pattern for discharging hot air to the outside is provided on a back surface of the protector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The protector described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2020-171415 does not allow the catcher as a wearer to feel wind on a body surface covered with the protector. Therefore, the catcher tends to feel hot.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a catcher protector that allows a catcher as a wearer to feel wind and is less likely to feel hot.

A catcher protector according to the present invention includes: a first protective portion that protects a part of a torso of a catcher; and a second protective portion that protects another part of the torso of the catcher. The second protective portion has a back surface facing the torso of the catcher and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. When air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent by a blower from the front surface to the back surface of the second protective portion, the wind speed of the air passing through the back surface is faster than 0.20 m/sec.

In the above catcher protector, the first protective portion may be provided to protect a chest portion and an anterior abdomen portion of the catcher. The second protective portion may be provided to protect a flank portion of the catcher.

In the above catcher protector, the second protective portion has a back surface facing the flank portion of the catcher and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. Preferably, a plurality of ventilation paths are provided between the front surface and the back surface of the second protective portion.

In the above catcher protector, the second protective portion preferably includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of linear bodies that are three-dimensionally entangled with each other. Preferably, each of the plurality of linear bodies includes a portion coupled to portions of remaining linear bodies and a portion disposed at an interval from portions of the remaining linear bodies. Preferably, each of the plurality of ventilation paths includes a portion provided between the plurality of linear bodies.

In the above catcher protector, it is preferable that air permeability of the three-dimensional structure measured according to a Frazier method specified in JIS L 1096 is higher than air permeability of the first protective portion and higher than 360 cm³/(cm²·sec).

In the above catcher protector, thickness of the three-dimensional structure may be greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 40 mm.

In the above catcher protector, a Clo value of the three-dimensional structure is preferably smaller than 1.00.

In the above catcher protector, the second protective portion may further include a lining material having the back surface and an outer material having the front surface. Each of the plurality of ventilation paths may further include a portion provided in the lining material and a portion provided in the outer material.

In the above catcher protector, when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell may be less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOCSAE.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a catcher protector according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a state in which a catcher wearing the catcher protector illustrated in FIG. 1 is blocking.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for describing an example of a first protective portion of the catcher protector illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for describing an example of a second protective portion of the catcher protector illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for describing a three-dimensional structure of the second protective portion illustrated in FIG. 4 .

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Configuration of Catcher Protector

A catcher protector according to the present embodiment is a protector worn by a catcher of baseball or softball on the catcher's upper body. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , a catcher protector 100 according to the present embodiment includes a body portion 101 that protects a torso of the catcher and a shoulder portion 102 that protects a shoulder of the catcher. Shoulder portion 102 is connected to body portion 101. Body portion 101 includes a first protective portion 1 that protects a part of the torso of the catcher and a second protective portion 2 that protects another part of the torso of the catcher.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , preferably, first protective portion 1 is provided to protect a chest and an anterior abdomen of the catcher, and second protective portion 2 is provided to protect left and right flanks of the catcher. First protective portion 1 has a back surface facing the chest or the anterior abdomen of the catcher, and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. Second protective portion 2 has a back surface facing the flank of the catcher, and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface. In catcher protector 100, air permeability between the front surface and the back surface of second protective portion 2 is higher than air permeability between the front surface and the back surface of first protective portion 1. Details of the air permeability will be described later.

First protective portion 1 includes a chest portion 1A that protects the chest of the catcher and an anterior abdomen portion 1B that protects the anterior abdomen of the catcher. Second protective portion 2 includes a first flank portion 2A that protects the left flank of the catcher and a second flank portion 2B that protects the right flank of the catcher. First flank portion 2A and second flank portion 2B are disposed separately from each other so as to sandwich anterior abdomen portion 1B.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , outer edges of body portion 101 on right and left have a constricted shape when catcher protector 100 is viewed from the front. From a different point of view, body portion 101 has an upper portion whose left-and-right width decreases from top to bottom, and lower portions each connected to lower ends of the upper portion and having a width that increases from bottom to top. The outer edges on right and left at a portion of body portion 101 whose left-and-right width is smallest (a lower end of the upper portion and an upper end of the lower portion) constitute a narrowed recessed portion 1C. The constriction of body portion 101 is provided so that body portion 101 does not hinder movement of arms of the catcher.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , when catcher protector 100 is viewed from the front, the lower portion of body portion 101 has a central portion located between two imaginary lines L that extending along the outer edges on right and left of chest portion 1A and downward below recessed portion 1C, and a pair of lateral portions located on opposite sides of the central portion with respect to each imaginary line L.

Chest portion 1A is included in the upper portion of body portion 101. Anterior abdomen portion 1B, first flank portion 2A, and second flank portion 2B are included in the lower portion of body portion 101. Anterior abdomen portion 1B is included in the central portion of the lower portion of body portion 101. First flank portion 2A and second flank portion 2B are respectively included in the side portions of the lower portion of body portion 101.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing a state in which blocking is performed so that the catcher wearing catcher protector 100 may not miss the ball that has bound in front (hereinafter, also referred to as blocking state). As illustrated in FIG. 2 , in the blocking state, the catcher takes a posture in which the catcher puts both open knees on the ground to raise the catcher's waist and close both sides, and closes a substantially triangular gap defined under the crotch with a catcher mitt. In this blocking state, both arms of the catcher are positioned to hide the left and right flanks of the catcher. In other words, in the blocking state, both arms of the catcher are arranged on both sides of the central portion of body portion 101 of catcher protector 100 and in front of the corresponding lateral portions. That is, in the blocking state, first flank portion 2A and second flank portion 2B of second protective portion 2 are hidden by both arms of the catcher.

A shape and arrangement of a connecting portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and first flank portion 2A and a connecting portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and second flank portion 2B are not particularly limited as long as the above configuration is provided. For example, at least a part of the connection portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and first flank portion 2A and the connection portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and second flank portion 2B is arranged on a straight line along imaginary line L. All of the connection portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and first flank portion 2A and the connection portion between anterior abdomen portion 1B and second flank portion 2B may be arranged on straight lines along imaginary lines L. In the latter case, first flank portion 2A and second flank portion 2B constitute a pair of lateral portions.

A belt that is passed over the back and the waist of the catcher is connected to first protective portion 1 and second protective portion 2. One end of the belt that is passed over the waist of the catcher is connected to first flank portion 2A, and the other end of the belt is connected to second flank portion 2B.

Configuration of Second Protective Portion

As described above, in catcher protector 100, the air permeability between the front surface and the back surface of second protective portion 2 is higher than the air permeability between the front surface and the back surface of first protective portion 1. One indicator of the air permeability is a wind speed measured under a certain condition. Second protective portion 2 is provided such that when a blower sends air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec from a front surface 20B toward a back surface 20A of second protective portion 2, the air is allowed to pass second protective portion 2. Preferably, when the air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent from front surface 20B toward back surface 20A of second protective portion 2, a speed of the air passing through back surface 20A of second protective portion 2 (hereinafter, also referred to as second speed) is faster than 0.20 m/sec. More preferably, the second speed is faster than or equal to 0.35 m/sec.

On the other hand, first protective portion 1 may be provided such that when air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent from one of the front surface and the back surface to the other of first protective portion 1, first protective portion 1 may allow or prohibit the air to pass. In the former case, when the air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent from one of the front surface and the back surface to the other of first protective portion 1, a speed of the air passing through the other of the front surface and the back surface of first protective portion 1 (hereinafter, also referred to as first speed) is lower than the second speed.

Heat retention of second protective portion 2 is lower than heat retention of first protective portion 1. A Clo value of second protective portion 2 is smaller than a Clo value of first protective portion 1. In the present specification, the Clo value (unit: do) is a value measured and calculated using KES-F7 Thermo Labo (manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd.) under an environment in which a room temperature is 20° C. and a relative humidity is 65% RH. Preferably, the Clo value of second protective portion 2 is smaller than 1.00. More preferably, the Clo value of second protective portion 2 is smaller than 0.90. The Clo value of first protective portion 1 is, for example, greater than or equal to 1.00.

Impact absorption performance of second protective portion 2 may be lower than impact absorption performance of first protective portion 1. When a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on second protective portion 2 disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force (hereinafter, also referred to as second impact force) measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOCSAE. When a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on first protective portion 1 disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force (hereinafter, also referred to as first impact force) measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 90 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to the impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOCSAE. The second impact force may be greater than 90 ibf. The second impact force may be greater than 100 ibf or greater than 110 ibf.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , first protective portion 1 has a back surface 10A facing the chest or the anterior abdomen of the catcher, and a front surface 10B disposed on a side opposite to back surface 10A. First protective portion 1 includes, for example, a base member 11, an impact buffer material 12, a lining material 13, and an outer material 14.

Base member 11 is a core member of first protective portion 1. Any material such as fabric, leather, synthetic leather, and resin can be used as the material constituting base member 11, and for example, a foamed resin such as polyurethane, polypropylene, or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) may be used. Impact buffer material 12 is attached to base member 11. Impact buffer material 12 can absorb impact. The material constituting impact buffer material 12 is, for example, a foamed resin, and may be EVA. Lining material 13 has back surface 10A of first protective portion 1. Outer material 14 has front surface 10B of first protective portion 1. First protective portion 1 is, for example, a multilayer body in which lining material 13, base member 11, impact buffer material 12, and outer material 14 are laminated in the stated order.

At least one through hole that penetrates base member 11 and impact buffer material 12 in a direction of the lamination may be provided. Base member 11 and impact buffer material 12 may not be provided with a through hole.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , second protective portion 2 has a back surface 20A facing the flank of the catcher and a front surface 20B disposed on a side opposite to back surface 20A. Second protective portion 2 includes, for example, a base member 21, an impact buffer material 22, a lining material 23, and an outer material 24.

Base member 21 is a core member of second protective portion 2. Any material such as fabric, leather, synthetic leather, and resin can be used as the material constituting base member 21, and for example, a foamed resin such as polyurethane, polypropylene, or EVA may be used. Base member 21 of second protective portion 2 may be configured as, for example, a member integrated with base member 11 of first protective portion 1. Impact buffer material 22 can absorb impact. Impact absorption performance of impact buffer material 22 is lower than the impact absorbing performance of impact buffer material 12. Repulsive performance of impact buffer material 22 may be higher than repulsive performance of impact buffer material 12. Lining material 23 has back surface 20A of second protective portion 2. Outer material 24 has front surface 20B of second protective portion 2. Lining material 23 and outer material 24 may be configured as an integrated cover member. Second protective portion 2 is, for example, a multilayer body in which lining material 23, a base member 21, impact buffer material 22, and outer material 24 are laminated in the stated order.

Between front surface 20B and back surface 20A of second protective portion 2, a plurality of ventilation paths are provided. In other words, the plurality of ventilation paths connected to each other are provided in lining material 23, base member 21, impact buffer material 22, and outer material 24 of second protective portion 2. For example, base member 21 includes a plurality of through holes.

Air permeability of impact buffer material 22 measured taking a measurement pressure of 125 Pa according to the Frazier method specified in JIS standard (JIS L 1096) is higher than 360 cm³/(cm²·sec). Preferably, the air permeability of impact buffer material 22 is greater than or equal to 500 cm³/(cm²·sec). Air permeability of base member 21, lining material 23, and outer material 24 may be lower than the air permeability of impact buffer material 22. For example, among the members constituting second protective portion 2, the air permeability of outer material 24 may be the lowest, and the air permeability of outer material 24 may be greater than or equal to 170 cm³/(cm²·sec).

When air whose wind speed is 1.00 m/sec is sent from the front surface to the back surface of impact buffer material 22, a speed of the air passing through the back surface of impact buffer material 22 is faster than 0.37 m/sec, and more preferably faster than or equal to 0.52 m/sec.

Preferably, a Clo value of impact buffer material 22 of second protective portion 2 is smaller than 1.00. More preferably, the Clo value of impact buffer material 22 is smaller than 0.90.

Impact buffer material 22 is a three-dimensional structure including a plurality of linear bodies that are three-dimensionally entangled with each other. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the three-dimensional structure. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , each of the plurality of linear bodies 25 includes a portion coupled to portions of remaining linear bodies and a portion disposed at an interval from portions of the remaining linear bodies. In impact buffer material 22, each of the plurality of ventilation paths 26 is provided between the plurality of linear bodies 25. That is, each of the plurality of ventilation paths provided in second protective portion 2 has a portion provided between linear bodies 25 of the three-dimensional structure. An outer diameter of each linear body 25 is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.1 mm and less than or equal to 2.0 mm.

A material constituting each of the plurality of linear bodies 25 of impact buffer material 22 is, for example, resin. The material constituting linear bodies 25 may be, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene.

Weight per unit area of impact buffer material 22 is smaller than weight per unit area of impact buffer material 12. The weight per unit area of each of impact buffer material 12 and impact buffer material 22 is measured according to the mass per unit area A method (JIS method) in a standard state specified in JIS standard (JIS L 1096). Weight per unit area of impact buffer material 22 is measured according to this method. The weight per unit area of impact buffer material 22 is, for example, less than or equal to 1400 g/m². Preferably, the weight per unit area of impact buffer material 22 is less than or equal to 1200 g/m².

Preferably, thickness of impact buffer material 22 is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 40 mm.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , a gap may be provided between impact buffer material 22 and outer material 24. Lining material 23, base member 21, and impact buffer material 22 of second protective portion 2 may be laminated without any gap therebetween.

Effect of Catcher Protector

In catcher protector 100, when the air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent by a blower from the front surface to the back surface of second protective portion 2, the wind speed of the air passing through the back surface is faster than 0.20 m/sec. As a result, the catcher wearing catcher protector 100 can feel wind in a portion of the torso protected by second protective portion 2, and thus is less likely to feel hot.

In catcher protector 100, first protective portion 1 is provided to protect the chest and the anterior abdomen of the catcher, and second protective portion 2 is provided to protect the flanks of the catcher. Catcher protector 100 protects the catcher from a ball directed to the catcher (a ball thrown by a pitcher or a foul ball hit by a batter), but the probability that a ball directed to the flank of the catcher occurs during a catching operation of the catcher is lower than the probability that a ball directed to the chest or the anterior abdomen of the catcher occurs. In particular, in the blocking state shown in FIG. 5 , the flanks of the catcher are hidden by both arms. Therefore, in catcher protector 100, the air permeability of second protective portion 2 is provided as described above so that the catcher can feel wind in the flank while second protective portion 2 realizes the impact absorption performance required for protecting the flanks of the catcher. In catcher protector 100, first protective portion 1 is provided to realize impact absorption performance higher than that of second protective portion 2 in order to protect the chest and the anterior abdomen of the catcher. That is, catcher protector 100 has higher air permeability than the conventional catcher protector while providing impact absorption performance required for protecting a catcher.

In catcher protector 100, the plurality of ventilation paths are provided between back surface 20A and front surface 20B of second protective portion 2. Second protective portion 2 includes a three-dimensional structure including the plurality of linear bodies 25 three-dimensionally entangled with each other. Each of the plurality of linear bodies 25 includes a portion coupled to portions of remaining linear bodies and a portion disposed at an interval from portions of the remaining linear bodies. Each of the plurality of ventilation paths includes a portion provided between the plurality of linear bodies 25. Such a three-dimensional structure may have impact absorption performance required for protecting the flanks of the catcher as impact buffer material 22 while having air permeability higher than that of impact buffer material 12.

In catcher protector 100, since a part of each of the plurality of ventilation paths is provided in each member included in second protective portion 2, the air easily escapes from second protective portion 2 as compared with a case where the plurality of ventilation paths are provided only in a part of the members included in second protective portion 2.

In catcher protector 100, thickness of the three-dimensional structure of second protective portion 2 is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 40 mm. When the thickness of the three-dimensional structure is greater than or equal to 10 mm, the impact absorption performance of second protective portion 2 is improved as compared with a case where the thickness of the three-dimensional structure is less than 10 mm, and the impact absorption performance required for second protective portion 2 to protect the flanks of the catcher can be achieved. The thickness of the three-dimensional structure less than or equal to 30 mm improves air permeability of second protective portion 2 as compared with a case where the thickness of the three-dimensional structure is greater than 30 mm.

In catcher protector 100, when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on second protective portion 2 disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 118 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to the impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOCSAE. Such second protective portion 2 has impact absorption performance required from the viewpoint of alleviating the impact on the flank of the catcher.

Preferably, when a blower blows air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec from front surface 20B toward back surface 20A of second protective portion 2, the wind speed of the air passing through back surface 20A of second protective portion 2 is higher than 0.35 m/sec. In this way, the catcher wearing catcher protector 100 can feel the wind generated on the ground through second protective portion 2 more strongly.

In catcher protector 100, the Clo value of impact buffer material 22 is smaller than 1.00. Therefore, catcher protector 100 easily releases heat, and the catcher wearing catcher protector 100 is less likely to feel hot.

In catcher protector 100, the air permeability of impact buffer material 22 measured according to the Frazier method specified in JIS L 1096 is greater than or equal to 360 cm³/(cm²·sec). Therefore, the catcher wearing catcher protector 100 is likely to feel wind in a portion of the torso protected by second protective portion 2, and is less likely to feel heat. More preferably, the air permeability of impact buffer material 22 is greater than or equal to 500 cm³/(cm²·sec).

As described above, in catcher protector 100, the repulsive performance of impact buffer material 22 may be higher than the repulsive performance of impact buffer material 12. from the viewpoint of suppressing the bouncing of the ball colliding with first protective portion 1 in the blocking state or the like shown in FIG. 2 , it is preferable that the repulsive performance of impact buffer material 12 of first protective portion 1 is low. On the other hand, in the blocking state, the possibility that the ball collides with second protective portion 2 is very low. Therefore, the repulsive performance of impact buffer material 22 may be higher than the repulsive performance of impact buffer material 12.

Modified Example of Catcher Protector

In catcher protector 100, second protective portion 2 includes base member 21, lining material 23, and outer material 24, but is not limited thereto. Second protective portion 2 may include only impact buffer material 22. In addition, second protective portion 2 may include impact buffer material 22, and lining material 23 and outer material 24 that are arranged so as to sandwich impact buffer material 22.

In catcher protector 100, each of base member 21, lining material 23, and outer material 24 may have the same configuration as those of the conventional catcher protector.

Evaluation Test Regarding Catcher Protector

Hereinafter, an evaluation test regarding catcher protector 100 performed by the present inventors will be described. First, the air permeability and the like of impact buffer material 22 of second protective portion 2 were evaluated. Secondly, the air permeability of second protective portion 2 as a whole was evaluated.

Evaluation Test for Impact Buffer Material

Sample 1 to 9 was prepared as candidates for impact buffer material 22. Samples 1 to 7 has the three-dimensional structure described above, and at least one of the material and the thickness constituting the linear bodies is different between the samples. A material constituting linear bodies of samples 1 to 3 was polyethylene, and a material constituting linear bodies of samples 4 to 7 was polypropylene. The outer diameter of linear bodies of samples 1 to 7 was 0.6 mm. The planar shape and dimension of samples 1 to 7 were set to a square shape whose length of one side was 200 mm. The thickness of samples 1 to 7 was different from each other within a range of 10 mm to 24 mm.

Sample 8 had a double raschel structure in which two knitted fabrics were connected by a plurality of linear bodies. The outer diameter of each linear body as a connecting yarn of sample 8 was 0.1 mm. Sample 9 was a flat plate structure in which a plurality of through holes was provided. The material constituting the flat plate structure of sample 9 was EVA. The hole diameter of each of the plurality of through holes provided in sample 9 was 3.0 mm. The interval between two adjacent through holes was 8.0 mm. The planar shape and dimension of samples 8 and 9 were set to a square shape whose length of one side was 200 mm. The thickness of sample 8 was mm. The thickness of sample 9 was 6 mm.

Evaluation Method

In order to evaluate the air permeability of samples 1 to 9, the air permeability of samples 1 to 9 in normal times was evaluated according to the Frazier method specified in JIS standard (JIS L 1096). The measurement pressure was 125 Pa.

Further, in order to evaluate the air permeability of samples 1 to 9, the speed of the air passing through each of samples 1 to 9 was measured when the air whose wind speed is 1.00 m/sec was sent by a blower to each of samples 1 to 9. The air blowing direction was the thickness direction of each of samples 1 to 9.

In order to evaluate heat retention of samples 1 to 9, the Clo value (unit: do) of each of samples 1 to 9 was measured and calculated using KES-F7 Thermo Labo (manufactured by Kato Tech Co., Ltd.) under an environment in which a room temperature is 20° C. and a relative humidity is 65% RH.

Weight per unit area of samples 2 and 4 to 7 was measured according to mass per unit area A method (JIS method) in a standard state specified in JIS standard (JIS L 1096).

Furthermore, a sensory evaluation of the air permeability was performed using samples 7 and 8 having the same thickness and sample 9 having thickness smaller than those of samples 7 and 8. First, in a state where the blower was blowing a certain amount of air, each sample was disposed on the air blowing path such that the front surface thereof faced the blower. Next, three subjects placed their hands on the back surface side of each sample, and degrees of feeling wind was evaluated in five grades. In the five-grade evaluation, a case where the subject felt strong wind was defined as 4, a case where the subject felt sufficient wind was defined as 3, a case where the subject felt slight wind was defined as 2, a case where the subject felt very little wind was defined as 1, and a case where the subject did not feel wind was defined as 0. An average value of the values evaluated by the three subjects was used as the evaluation value of each sample.

Evaluation results of the above evaluation test are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Air Heat Weight Sensory Thick- Wind permeability reten- per unit evalu- ness speed (cm³/ tion area ation (mm) (m/sec) (cm² · sec)) (clo) (g/m²) (a.u.) Sample 1 15 0.56 734 0.85 — — Sample 2 20 0.64 738 0.76  989 — Sample 3 24 0.58 624 0.83 — — Sample 4 10 0.71 691 0.89 1200 — Sample 5 20 0.63 640 0.85 1200 — Sample 6 10 0.56 569 0.9 1400 — Sample 7 20 0.52 577 0.85 1400 3.33 Sample 8 20 0.27 360 1.48 — 1.33 Sample 9 20 0.37 192 1.08 — 1.67

As shown in Table 1, the air permeability of samples 1 to 7 was higher than the air permeability of samples 8 and 9. The air permeability of samples 1 to 7 was higher than 360 cm³/(cm²·sec). The wind speed measured in samples 1 to 7 was faster than 0.37 m/sec. The Clo values of samples 1 to 7 were less than 1.00. Between samples 1 to 7, it was confirmed that the smaller the thickness, the higher the air permeability, and the smaller the weight per unit area, the higher the air permeability.

In the evaluation test of air permeability and wind speed, the air permeability of sample 7 was higher than that of samples 8 and 9, but was the lowest among samples 1 to 7. On the other hand, in the sensory test, it was confirmed that the air permeability of sample 7 was higher than that of samples 8 and 9, and was high enough for all subjects to feel sufficient wind. Therefore, it is presumed that samples 1 to 6 whose air permeability is higher than that of sample 7 in the evaluation test of air permeability and wind speed also have such high air permeability that all subjects would feel sufficient air in the sensory test.

The heat retention of each of samples 1 to 7 was lower than the heat retention of each of samples 8 and 9.

Further, the impact absorption performance of samples 4, 7, and 8 was evaluated according to the impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOCSAE. First, each sample was placed on a heart load cell. Next, when hard balls were fired to apply an impact to each sample arranged on the heart load cell under a condition that a speed of the impact was 30 mph±3%, the impact was measured by the heart load cell.

The impact force on sample 4 was 118.5 ibf. The impact force on sample 7 was 112.1 ibf. The impact force on sample 8 was 118.5 ibf. From this result, it was confirmed that samples 4, 7, and 8 had impact absorption performance equivalent to each other.

From the above evaluation test, it was confirmed that the three-dimensional structure of samples 1 to 7 had high air permeability. As a result, it was confirmed that the air permeability of second protective portion 2 including the three-dimensional structure of samples 1 to 7 as impact buffer material 22 was higher than the air permeability of the catcher protector including sample 8 or 9.

Evaluation Test for Second Protective Portion as a Whole

Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 of the second protective portion were prepared following the evaluation test for the impact buffer material described above.

In Example 1, a multilayer body was obtained by laminating a mesh material (a sheet of polyester mesh) as a lining material, sample 9 as a base member, sample 7 as an impact buffer material, and a mesh material (obtained by two sheets of polyester meshes laminated on each other) as an outer material. In Comparative Example 1, a multilayer body was obtained by laminating a mesh material as a lining material, sample 9 as a base member, sample 8 as an impact buffer material, and a mesh material (W-C mesh) as an outer material. In Comparative Example 2, a multilayer body was obtained by laminating a mesh material as a lining material, sample 9 as a base member, sample 9 as an impact buffer material, and a mesh material (W-C mesh) as an outer material. The thickness of each member was made equal between Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

Evaluation Method

First, when a blower sent air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec to each of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the speed of the air passing through each of the examples was measured. The air blowing direction was the laminating direction of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

Second, each of Example 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was disposed on the air blowing path such that the front surface of each of Examples 1 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 faced the blower while the blower was blowing a certain amount of air. Next, five subjects placed their hands on the back surface side of each sample, and degrees of feeling wind was evaluated in four grades. In the four-grade evaluation, a case where the subject felt sufficient wind was defined as 3, a case where the subject felt slight wind was defined as 2, a case where the subject felt very little wind was defined as 1, and a case where the subject did not feel wind was defined as 0. An average value of the values evaluated by the three subjects was used as the evaluation value of each sample.

Evaluation results of the above evaluation test are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Wind speed (m/sec) Sensory evaluation (a.u.) Example 1 0.38 2.2 Comparative Example 1 0.20 1.6 Comparative Example 2 0.17 1.4

As shown in Table 2, the air permeability of Example 1 was higher than the air permeability of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. The wind speed measured in Example 1 was faster than 0.20 m/sec. In the sensory test, it was confirmed that the air permeability of Example 1 was higher than that of Comparative Examples 1 and 2. Therefore, it is presumed that the second protective portion including samples 1 to 6 whose air permeability is higher than that of sample 7 in the evaluation test of air permeability and wind speed also has such high air permeability that all subjects would feel sufficient air in the sensory test.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated, it is understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The scope of the present invention is interpreted by the terms of the appended claims, and it is intended that meanings equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the scope are included. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A catcher protector comprising: a first protective portion that protects a part of a torso of a catcher; and a second protective portion that protects another part of the torso of the catcher, wherein the second protective portion has a back surface facing the torso of the catcher and a front surface disposed on a side opposite to the back surface, and when air whose wind speed is 2.00 m/sec is sent by a blower from the front surface to the back surface of the second protective portion, the wind speed of the air passing through the back surface is faster than 0.20 m/sec.
 2. The catcher protector according to claim 1, wherein the first protective portion is provided to protect a chest and an anterior abdomen of the catcher, and the second protective portion is provided to protect a flank of the catcher.
 3. The catcher protector according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of ventilation paths are provided between the front surface and the back surface of the second protective portion.
 4. The catcher protector according to claim 3, wherein the second protective portion includes a three-dimensional structure having a plurality of linear bodies that are three-dimensionally entangled with each other, and each of the plurality of linear bodies includes a portion coupled to portions of remaining linear bodies and a portion disposed at an interval from portions of the remaining linear bodies, and each of the plurality of ventilation paths includes a portion provided between the plurality of linear bodies.
 5. The catcher protector according to claim 4, wherein air permeability of the three-dimensional structure measured according to a Frazier method specified in JIS L 1096 is higher than air permeability of the first protective portion and higher than 360 cm³/(cm²·sec).
 6. The catcher protector according to claim 4, wherein thickness of the three-dimensional structure is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 40 mm.
 7. The catcher protector according to claim 4, wherein a Clo value of the three-dimensional structure is smaller than 1.00.
 8. The catcher protector according to claim 4, wherein the second protective portion further includes a lining material having the back surface and an outer material having the front surface, and each of the plurality of ventilation paths further includes a portion provided in the lining material and a portion provided in the outer material.
 9. The catcher protector according to claim 1, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 10. The catcher protector according to claim 2, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 11. The catcher protector according to claim 3, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 12. The catcher protector according to claim 4, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 13. The catcher protector according to claim 5, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 14. The catcher protector according to claim 6, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 15. The catcher protector according to claim 7, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE.
 16. The catcher protector according to claim 8, wherein when a hard ball is fired to apply an impact on the second protective portion disposed on a heart load cell, an impact force measured at the heart load cell is less than or equal to 120 ibf, under a condition that a speed of the impact is 30 mph±3% according to an impact absorption test method using a hard ball for baseball specified in ND200 of NOC SAE. 